Of
the eight, only Syarul Azman is not under the NSI-run Podium Programme,
designed to give athletes the cutting edge through sports science.

And
a confident NSI chairman Datuk Seri Azim Zabidi said things can only
get better after showing state-of-the-art facilities to media personnel
during a get-together session with the Sportswriters Association of
Malaysia (SAM) yesterday.

The media entourage, headed by SAM president Ahmad Khawari Isa,
were shown around the NSI premise which is made up of seven main
sections at the KL Sports City in Bukit Jalil during the hour-long
visit.

Azim said Malaysia boasts “the most sophisticated” sports institution in South-East Asia.
“With the facilities that NSI have to offer, I don’t see why we can’t produce more champions than we used to,” said Azim.

“Some countries do not have the technologies we possess, they can only feel envy.
“While
we can’t compare ourselves to the likes of Japan and South Korea, we
are definitely the most sophisticated sports institution in this region.

“And
we’re going to review from time to time and continue to invest in
necessary additions to further enhance what we have at the moment.
Surely, we can only get better.”
In other developments, Azim gave an assurance that NSI have no intention to limit the media’s access to the athletes.

There
have been claims by journalists of having trouble to speak to athletes
and coaches, especially those under the Podium Programme, and were asked
to get permission from the NSI before they are allowed to so.

But Azim refuted the allegations, explaining that the NSI merely want to regulate it.
“We
will not stop the media from interviewing the athletes, it’s just that
we hope you can respect the athletes’ tight schedules and give them the
space they need,” said Azim.
“Those who are preparing for the Commonwealth Games, especially, have only three months to prepare.

“So for the national sports associations, coaches and athletes, their main agenda is to prepare as well as they can.”